In the digital age, incorporating photos and images into academic papers, presentations, and websites is commonplace. However, just like text, images are subject to copyright and require proper citation. Giving credit where it’s due is not only ethical but also strengthens your work by demonstrating thorough research and respect for intellectual property. This guide provides a clear understanding of How To Cite Photos using the Harvard referencing style, ensuring accuracy and academic integrity in your citations.
Citing Images Found Online: Basic Principles
When you find an image online and wish to use it in your work, the Harvard referencing method requires you to acknowledge its source both within the text (in-text citation) and in a comprehensive list of references at the end of your document. The key is to provide enough information for your readers to locate the original image themselves.
In-Text Citation for Online Images
The in-text citation is a brief reference within the body of your text. For images found online, the format varies slightly depending on whether the image has a named author.
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With a Known Author: If the image has a clearly identified author, you will include their last name and the year the image was created within parentheses, typically near the image or when you refer to it in the text.
- Example: “The political cartoon effectively captures the sentiment of the era (Frith, 1968).”
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Without a Named Author: If the author is not specified, use the title of the image (or a concise description if there’s no formal title) and the year. If no year is available, use ‘n.d.’ (no date).
- Example: “Historical maps reveal the landscape of the 1840s (‘Map of the Parish of Maroota, County of Cumberland, District of Windsor,’ 1840-1849).”
Reference List Entry for Online Images
The reference list provides full details of all sources cited in your work. For online images, include the following information in your Harvard style reference:
- Author (if available): Start with the last name, followed by a comma and initial(s).
- Year Produced (if available): Put the year in parentheses. If no date is available, use ‘n.d.’
- Title of Image (or Description): Provide the official title if available. If not, create a brief descriptive title that accurately reflects the image’s content.
- Format and Details: Specify the format of the image (e.g., digital photograph, political cartoon, digital image of cartographic material). Add any relevant details, like the creator or source type, if applicable (e.g., political cartoon by John Frith).
- Sponsor of the Source: Include the name and place of the organization or institution hosting the image online, if known.
- Accessed Date: State the date you viewed or downloaded the image in the format: day month year (e.g., accessed 11 May 2007).
- URL: Provide the full URL or internet address within pointed brackets
<>.
Examples of Reference List Entries:
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Image with Author:
Frith J 1968, From the rich man’s table, political cartoon by John Frith, Old Parliament House, Canberra, accessed 11 May 2007, <//www.oph.gov.au/frith/theherald-01.html>.
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Image without Author:
Khafre pyramid from Khufu’s quarry 2007, digital photograph, Ancient Egypt Research Associates, accessed 2 August 2007, <//www.aeraweb.org/khufu_quarry.asp>.
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Map Example:
Map of the Parish of Maroota, County of Cumberland, District of Windsor 1840-1849, digital image of cartographic material, National Library of Australia, accessed 13 April 2007, <//nla.gov.au/nla.map-f829>.
Citing Online Images as Figures in Academic Work
In reports, essays, or dissertations, images are often incorporated as figures, which also require citations. Figures encompass diagrams, graphs, sketches, photographs, and maps used to visually represent data or concepts. When using an online image as a figure, you need both a figure caption and a reference.
Figure Captions and In-Text Citations
Figures should be numbered sequentially (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.) and include a caption placed directly below the image. The caption should be concise, descriptive, and include an in-text citation.
Example of Figure and Caption:
Figure 1: Bloom’s Cognitive Domain (Benitez, 2012)
If you specifically discuss the figure within your text, you should also include an in-text citation within the body of your writing.
- Example: “As illustrated in Figure 1 (Benitez, 2012), cognitive domains are hierarchically structured.”
Reference List Entry for Figures
The full citation for a figure is provided in your reference list, following the same principles as citing any online image, but tailored to the figure context.
Example of Reference List Entry for a Figure:
Benitez J 2012, Blooms Cognitve Domain, digital image, ALIEM, accessed 2 August 2015, <//www.aliem.com/blooms-digital-taxonomy/>.
Citing Online Data in Tables
Similar to figures, tables presenting data from online sources also require citations. Table captions are positioned above the table and include an in-text citation.
Table Captions and In-Text Citations
Tables are numbered (Table 1, Table 2, etc.) and have captions above them that summarize the table’s content and provide an in-text citation.
Example of Table and Caption:
Table 2: Agricultural water use, by state 2004-05 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006)
| State | Total ML |
|---|---|
| NSW (including Canberra) | 3 976 108 |
| Vic. | 2 570 219 |
| Qld | 2 864 889 |
| SA | 1 004 828 |
| WA | 429 372 |
| Tas | 255 448 |
| NT | 45 638 |
| Total ML | 11 146 502 |
When referring to the table in your text, include another in-text citation.
- Example: “As shown in Table 2, the total agricultural water usage was substantial (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006).”
Reference List Entry for Tables
For tables, the reference list entry typically points to the webpage or document where the data was found.
Example of Reference List Entry for a Table:
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006, Water Use on Australian Farms, 2004-05, Cat. no. 4618.0, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra, accessed 4 July 2007, <//www.abs.gov.au>.
Conclusion: Consistent and Accurate Photo Citation
Mastering how to cite photos and other visual materials using Harvard referencing is crucial for academic and professional integrity. By consistently applying these guidelines for in-text citations, figure captions, table captions, and reference lists, you ensure that your work is both credible and respectful of the creators whose images you utilize. Remember to always seek the necessary information for citation and prioritize accuracy in every reference you make.
